Purple Wren

Happy Ghosts on MyBlogLog Widget

Why don't people just upload their photos? I could not believe how many of the faces on the MyBlogLog widget this morning were happy ghosts. What's the deal? 

I have always enjoyed the community of MyBlogLog. You can actually see who you are having a conversation with.  I clicked on some of the ghosts and found that they really are haunting the site. They might have started to create an account but there is no actual blog attached. Maybe it's time to eliminate some of the dead wood on MyBlogLog. What do you think? Do you enjoy the community? How important is it to you to "see" the person visiting your site? I understand the privacy issue, but it seems like this is something else.

Remember, blogging is about you...

and your business. I was reminded today (after reading a guest post at remarkablogger by Holly Jackson) that blogging isn't only business. It's about the person behind the business, too. After a lengthly hiatus I recently find myself wanting to write -- and not always about business -- so her post was just what I needed to read at this time. Yes, I have a lot to say and by stifling myself about the personal side it also affected my creativity as far as the business posts go - at least that's my reasoning.

So bear with me as I sort out what the topics of conversation are here, outloud and in public.

Photo by squeezle on flickr

Car Held "Hostage" by "Disgruntled" Garage Door Opener

That was my original blog post title - until I read that "hostage" and "disgruntled" applies to people.

So the next title I came up with was Car Stuck in Garage because Garage Door Opener is too Cold. That's kind of boring though. I was looking for more descriptive language. And then I worried my little blog might attract unwanted attention because of the wording (kind of like making jokes that are not funny when you are boarding a plane). So I checked out more blogs that might use some of the same wording and found one about books and another about a diploma and even one about a duckie. And I worried that people might think my making light of these words meant I was insensitive to the plight of people and circumstances that truly warrant the use of these words. Seems like that is way too much thinking for a quick blog post.

Tuesday afternoon the door opened because I got out my favorite shovel to take care of the latest snowfall this week. I had an early-morning appointment Wednesday and several other commitments. It's been really cold out and the door hesitated when I tried to close it; however, it really didn't cross my mind that this might be a larger issue. Wednesday morning the door would not open at all. And same Thursday, although I was better prepared with a ride to my early-morning appointment.

The remote doesn't make it work, or the key, and there is plenty of power. We are blaming it on the cold. We have a brand new window in the garage and it's lock works really well. And the new back door opens inward and there is a lawn mower and other miscellaneous stuff jammed in, as well as my car, so it doesn't open. And the garage door does not have any windows. And the emergency lock is painted over (which I'm working at getting off) and I can't find a key that fits.

Yesterday some words that described me were frustrated (with the door), grateful (I have a home and work out of a home office and the most I have to worry about is language), discouraged (because I could not get to the grocery store). Today is better - resigned, accepting, hopeful...

We're waiting until warmer temperatures might allow us to open it just one more time. And then it probably means we need a new opener. You can be sure I'll park my car outside for awhile. Can the weather hold someone hostage?? A lot of us have felt this way during the winter of 09-10. Even the newscasters last night said this winter has been "brutal." Guess that's another post - and then maybe one about language and common usage. 

I'll let you know when my car is released. How's your day going??

Another Color Quiz

Here's another color quiz on the QuizTron site. Love the color of the flowers. What color is your personality?

This site is interesting because you can create your own quizzes.

What color is your personality? Your personality is purple! Highly unique, your a true idealist. Your the most spiritual of all the colours. Your attracted to things like the occult, and metaphysical concepts. You have strong beliefs, but are incredibly passionate. Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

Have You Taken the Color Quiz?

This morning I opened an email from my friend, Jeremy Jacobs. The email pointed me toward a color quiz and then to his results. We both love the color purple. Here's my results. Blue is my second favorite color... What color are you?

you are lightskyblue #87CEFA

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is lower than average - You don't stress out over things and don't understand people who do. Finishing projects may sometimes be a challenge, but you schedule time as you see fit and the important things all happen in the end, even if not everyone sees your grand master plan. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Find Your Personal Color With Colorstrology

Colorstrology is an entertaining site brought to you by Pantone and Michele Bernhardt.

This was fun. My favorite colors are purple (any shade) and blue. The site says your favorite color and personal color may not be the same, but mine are close.

What is your personal color?

Keeping It All In the Air

I was feeling really bad because some of the balls I've been juggling have been dangerously close to hitting the floor.

One of them is this blog. In my travels through the blogosphere I've read that it's better not to apologize when you don't write for awhile, so this is not an apology. It's more of a realization and my written intention to do a better job.

Another one is reading blogs. Lately I've been reading more and feel like it's time to get back in the game.

How are you doing at juggling?

Gratitude

Here's another thought-provoking video, brought to you by The Power of Gratitude. Tip 'o the hat to How We Got Rich - where I first saw this video.

Read the Computer Owner's Manual

It's getting late, but I was having so much fun in the design world that time slipped away. It's Sunday and time to update 'Birds of a Feather' and it's going to have to wait until tomorrow. I'll have to catch up with the blogosphere then.

Since I'm rambling, I have to admit that I've been frustrated with my new computer because the speakers aren't very loud. All the adjusting didn't seem to help. The salesperson told me when I bought it that the speakers weren't great, but I didn't think that meant I couldn't hear YouTubes and movies, etc.

So, this weekend I bought a cable to plug in my external iPod speakers and when I was fussing around, guess what I found - a nice little volume adjustment. It was right in front of me! Guess I better get out that owner's manual in case there's more things that I could be using better.

Oh well, I'm just glad to find it - I've been enjoying music all weekend.

What's your latest embarrassing moment with technology?

Photo on flickr by Greencolander

Oh Yeah, Work Life Balance

While driving across rural Iowa today, I was pleased to see a 18-wheel truck with a Trek bicycle mounted on the back of the tractor cab. Now that was a first for me. Glad to see someone who drives truck has a way to get around when he gets to his location and a chance to fit in some exercise. Very important after driving all day and a great stress reliever. It seems like this person works to have balance in life, something I need to work on these days.

It's been difficult for me to start up a new business (or two) and fit in all the other priorities in life, most of all exercise. Maybe I'm just using that as an excuse, so I looked for inspiration in the blogosphere...

The posts below are both "must reads" IMHO.

Discovering Work Life Balance at Feld Thoughts: This post is over a year old, but the content is great and includes tips to add a bit of structure to life. Check out the comments, too.

Work Life Balance at Zoli's Blog: I've heard the story before about putting rocks in the jar followed by pebbles and sand, but this version has a different twist. (I would probably substitute tea though.)

How do you make sure you have balance between work, play, family, spiritual, exercise, etc.?

photo on flickr by David Cowie